Decking

How Much Does It Cost To Screen In A Porch?

The cost of a screened in porch can vary widely based on estimates from different contractors. Each situation is unique and much of the cost will depend on the size of the porch you’re considering. Nevertheless, we have researched various screened in porch ideas and found the average screened porch costs across the country.

If you’re thinking about adding your own screened in porch, ImproveNet can help you get in touch with local deck and porch contractors today.

Screened In Porch Cost Factors

Major factors that influence the cost of a screened in porch are the location of the your home, the types of materials that are selected and the features that will be incorporated into the porch. Also, if the designated area for the new porch currently has a deck or other feature, the costs will include the removal. Naturally, the cost increases with the desired square feet of the screened in porch.

The cost of materials for a basic 200sf screened in porch on an existing deck in most urban areas should run between $470 and $680, with an installation cost between $296 and $345.

The total cost for a basic 200sf screened in porch will range from $766 to $1,025 or an average cost of $4.48/sf.

The cost of materials for a top-of-the-line screened in porch on an existing deck runs between $860 and $1,070, with an installation cost between $297 and $304.

The total cost for a screened in porch on an existing deck will be between $1,157 and $1,374 or an average cost of $6.33/sf.

Of course, the construction of a completely new screened in porch without an existing deck is much more expensive. If a consumer is able to construct the porch on an existing wooden or concrete deck, this will likely save a minimum of $1,000. As with the rest of the construction, the size of the porch and quality of selected materials determine the actual cost savings. For example, a wrap-around porch that contains windows and screens can run up to a maximum of $30,000.

An average construction estimate for a completely new screened in porch is about $70/sf. Therefore, a basic porch (8X10 feet) with a roof and screen measuring at 80sf would start at $5,600. The porch design adds anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 to the cost, and all homeowners should budget anywhere from $200 to $300 for the permits and city or county inspections. Keep in mind, if you add features such as fans, lighting, tiling, fireplaces and vaulted ceilings, the price increases substantially.

How to Minimize Your Screen In Porch Costs

You can almost always lower the cost of any home remodeling project. To keep your screen in porch price down, you should:

Types of Screened In Porches (Flooring)

The many flooring selections available for screened in porches also vary widely in price. Wood floors are the cheapest option, but they often do not hold up as well in direct sunlight and can rot when exposed to weather elements such as rain and snow. Homeowners who upgrade their decks to a screened in porch often remove the original wood or cedar material and replace it with a combination of wood and plastic. Some experts recommend Ipe, a Brazilian hardwood, but it doubles the cost of the porch.

There are actually over 20 different man-made materials that can be used for the screened in porch floor, each with their own positive and negative attributes. For example, some materials will cause stains and scratches while others do not. PVC plastic and plastic-wood composites are especially attractive for screened in porches, as they’re extremely durable and resistant to stains, mildew and scratches.

The downside is that these types of materials can easily add a minimum of $7,500 to the total cost of a small porch compared to a traditional wood floor. Consumers that are already spending upward of $20,000 or more for their porch usually also add many amenities, ranging from recessed lighting to skylights.

Needless, no matter what screen in porch idea you had in mind, there is a flooring material for your budge.

Advantages of Screened In Porches

All screen in porches come with a few very obvious benefits. First and foremost, screened in porches let you enjoy your outdoor seating area if it’s raining or is extremely hot. Furthermore, they also detract flies and other insects. With a properly constructed screen in porch, you’ll never have to worry about the weather again (not including winter).

Furthermore, screened porches increase the value of your home and can help it sell faster. As long as you use modern design standards and techniques, you should see a positive ROI the day you sell your home.

Bear in mind, if you’re adding a new porch or addition, make sure it blends in with the rest of the home. If the design fails and the addition is fairly obvious, you won’t be adding as much value as you could.

Finally, compared to patio enclosures, screened in porches are cheap. Also, compared to full additions, the cost is far less expensive.

Overall, screens increase the utility of your porch and can vastly improve the entertainment value of your porch.

Disadvantages of Screened In Porches

Of course, no home addition is without its fallbacks. First off, many homeowners assume a screen porch will be as warm as the inside of the house. This is simply not the case. While you can add a few heaters, chances are, if you live in a colder climate, you still won’t be able to use your porch in the colder months.

Despite its relatively lost cost, screened in porches do bring extra costs. Screens are accessories most porches do not need, but are added nonetheless for extra comfort. As is the case with any added comfort project, associated costs come with it.

Finally, certain patio enclosure repairs may be needed down the line. The only way repairs can be avoided is to avoid installation all together.

Hiring Professionals

If you do hire a porch pro, make sure they have a license and insurance. While interviewing potential contractors, ask for their license, insurance and past examples of their work.

The estimate process usually requires an inspection of the proposed site and should include all costs for materials, layout, design, mounting, fabrication and labor. The higher-priced porches will also include costs associated with a more complex design and higher weather-resistant materials (anticipate paying 5% to 14% above the standard price for the installation and materials for these porches). There should be no cost surprises after the contractor has completed the estimate.

The variance in estimates will come from factors such as the job location, seasonal contractor wage rates, size and other factors mentioned above. Remember, the most popular time of year for screened in porches is the spring, when a consumer wishes to use the screened in porch during the summer months. Therefore, there is a higher demand among contractors during this period for both porches and other home improvement projects. As a result, try to schedule the installation during the fall or winter periods.

Screened In Porch Weight

Many homeowners already own a porch or deck and wish to add a screen or cover. Before you start your research, you must determine if a screened in porch is even possible.

Overall, porches can generally hold more wait than a deck. As you might expect, weight is a key factor since you’re adding screens and a roof. The outside foundation must be able to hold this added weight.

If you currently own a porch or deck and want to use it for your screened in porch, you have to make sure it can handle the extra weight. If it can’t, you may have to:

Add more posts to your foundation

Add more weight to current support beams

Add screens below your porch

To be safe, have your building department come up and do a thorough inspection. If anything is not up to code, they will make you replace or fix the porch or deck, which is far easier to do before the project begins.

Do You Need A Patio Enclosure?

If you live in a colder climate and want to use your porch, patio or deck year-round, you may need a full patio enclosure. Patio covers surround your entire patio and provide the most security and protection. In addition to a roof, many homeowners also add windows, extending the feel and design of your home.

Of course, more protection and heat come with a price. The average cost to install a patio enclosure is $13,600, which is much more than your typical screen in porch.

Accessories that Amplify Your Screened Porch

All prices above assume you’re sticking to bare minimum. They do not include common accessories that certainly amplify your porch experience. Nonetheless, if you really want your guest to enjoy your screened in porch, consider adding a few of the items below:

Lamps or Additional Lighting

Ceiling Fans

Additional Electrical Outlets

Extra Furniture

Porch Heaters

Fire Pits

Speakers

Porch Screens

Fortunately, there are a few different types of screens you can add to your brand new screened in porch. Each material comes in at a different price point, but needless the say, the ultimate decision will likely come down to your location. For example, if you live in an area that sees a lot of heavy rainfall, you’re going to need strong screens.

In order of price (from least expensive to most expensive), the most common types of screens are:

Fiberglass

Aluminum

Vinyl-Coated Polyester

Bronze

Steel

The cheaper alternatives are not ideal for heavy wind areas. In addition, they tend to tear or rip more often than metal. While fiberglass starts at $0.15/sf, steel screens can rise all the way to $5/sf.

Find A Pro

In summary, the cost of a screened in porch varies tremendously based your desired size, materials, features and whether or not an existing porch is installed. As a result, a screened in porch can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to $10,000 or more. Since the porch can be a significant investment, it’s extremely important to obtain multiple estimates from porch or deck contractors in your area.